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Mile High Roundtable: Broncos Mid-Season Awards | MVP, Studs & Duds
The 2019 season hasn't been what the Denver Broncos hoped for or expected. There isn’t a safer statement to make.
This is a team that was just a couple plays away from being 6-3 instead of the 3-6 record they sit at. Despite the disappointment, the Mile High Huddle staff are here to hand out our awards for the first nine games of the season.
MVP
Khalid Alshami: Justin Simmons
Simmons is one of the best safeties in football. If you look at this season’s body of work, he is heading towards a massive payday! He has flourished in Vic Fangio’s system and continues to get better. Simmons' play this season is one of the few bright spots for the franchise.
Carl Dumler: Justin Simmons
He is playing like the best safety in all of football. Right now, Simmons is giving up an astounding 34.4 QB rating when targeted. On top of that, he has been one of the soundest tackling safeties in the league, coming up to help in the run game. It should shock no one if he becomes the highest-paid safety in the league after this season.
Chad Jensen: Alexander Johnson
Simmons has been good, as has Kareem Jackson. Both are impact players. But this team didn't even sniff the win column until Johnson was inserted as a starter. What has ensued is literally the most prolific five-game debut for a linebacker in Broncos history. When Johnson is on the field, the Broncos have a top-5 defense.
Nick Kendell: Courtland Sutton
Where would this offense be without him? No. Honestly? While the Broncos have a solid 1-2 punch at running back, they are still a devalued position. Noah Fant has flashed but had his ups and downs as should be expected for a rookie tight end. No quarterback or offensive lineman deserves this award. Sutton has been really good, but he's almost the winner by default. Emerging as a true No. 1, Sutton is only getting better and if the Broncos can square away quarterback, the offensive line, and find him a partner with true speed at wide receiver No. 2, his impact should only get better.
Bob Morris: Courtland Sutton
He’s been a revelation this season, establishing himself as not only the Broncos' best wide receiver, but one of the best in the NFL. If he was on a playoff contender, everybody would be talking about him right now.
Lance Sanderson: Courtland Sutton
He's been the most consistent, reliable weapon for the offense all season and is proving to be a true game-changing threat at the WR position.
Erick Trickel: Justin Simmons
There is so much about Simmons and the body of work he has put out there for the Broncos this season. I broke down how good he's been in this video (see above).
Offensive Stud
Alshami: Phillip Lindsay
Sutton is the popular choice for good reason, but I've been most impressed by Lindsay. Part of me felt his rookie campaign was flukish, yet he bounced back this year to continue to thrive as the Broncos lead back while still holding off Royce Freeman. Lindsay has also quickly become a leader in the team’s locker room.
Dumler: Courtland Sutton
I'm not sure the competition is all that close. Sutton has looked like a top-10 receiver in the league and could only be scratching the surface. Give him a competent QB throwing his direction and it could be scary what he can do. What has truly impressed me most this year is his route running. The jump he made from year one to year two in this area is downright impressive.
Jensen: Phillip Lindsay
Sutton is a close second but Lindsay has been the more consistent impact player through nine games. When the Broncos need a big play, Lindsay has come through in a big way.
Kendell: Phillip Lindsay
I guess it has to be Lindsay... he could be more impactful but given his stature and the season getting off the rails, he isn't being given a large workload. It is somewhat odd how he is hardly utilized in the pass game in comparison to Freeman. Lindsay is not the most valuable offensive player, but dammit he is the heart.
Morris: Phillip Lindsay
He and Freeman form one of the best running back duos in the NFL, but it's Lindsay who has delivered more long runs that have been crucial to sustaining drives. He might force his way into the Pro Bowl conversation again.
Sanderson: Phillip Lindsay
He's the best offensive playmaker not wearing No. 14. It's been very lackluster for the Broncos offensively, but Lindsay's 4.9 yard per carry average and five touchdowns speak for themselves.
Trickel: Courtland Sutton
There has been a lot of growth from Sutton from last year to this year. He is more dynamic than expected, and has really grown into that No. 1 receiver spot. If he continues to grow as he has, then he will be a top-5 receiver next year.
Defensive Stud
Alshami: Alexander Johnson
This prehistoric creature burst into the teams starting lineup during the season after a slew of injuries and ineffective play at the inside linebacker position. Since taking over, Johnson has helped stabilize the defense while bringing along big-play ability. Johnson could become another name on a long list of unheralded Broncos to become a star in Denver.
Dumler: Derek Wolfe
Here is another player the Broncos should prioritize in bringing back. He has been a perfect fit with Fangio and revitalized his career. Wolfe has always been strong in the run game, but it is his work in the passing game that has really seen a huge bump. That pressure up the middle has really changed the dynamic that the defense can bring week in and week out.
Jensen: Alexander Johnson
See section one.
Kendell: Derek Wolfe
While Simmons, Jackson, and Johnson all feel like possible selections here, it's time to recognize Wolfe. Always a leader, Wolfe has taken his game to another level on the field this season under Fangio. Owning gaps and disrupting the pocket, Wolfe has continued to be great against the run but his ability rushing the passer this season has many wondering if he has found the fountain of youth, playing as well as any point in his career. Wolfe has been a revelation this season. Keep the dude and re-sign him.
Morris: Justin Simmons
Though he had a slow start to the season, he’s picked up quickly on Vic Fangio’s scheme and has been invaluable. He and Jackson have turned into a great safety duo.
Sanderson: Kareem Jackson
The added benefit of having Jackson playing the safety position has really stepped up the Broncos running defense.
Trickel: Kareem Jackson
There are multiple players I can go with here from Wolfe, to Johnson, to even Todd Davis. The Broncos have multiple defenders playing extremely well, but Jackson gets the nod here. With his play, there are so many things that earn him this reward, but what really earns him the reward is how he brought balance to the force, I mean the defense and allowed Fangio to really run his scheme.
Offensive Rookie Stud
Alshami: Noah Fant
Going out on a limb here to select the not so sure-handed tight end over Dalton Risner who is going to be a force for years. That being said, Fant's rookie season is already comparable to the numbers some of the more established guys posted as rookies. TE is notorious for being a position that takes longer than most players to acclimate to when joining the NFL. Fant has shown flashes of everything you'd like to see out of a highly-drafted tight end and will need to put that together more consistently moving forward.
Dumler: Dalton Risner
He has been an outstanding draft pick for the Broncos this season. The run blocking is where he has really impressed most this year, but his pass protection isn't all that far behind considering the competition he has faced so far. He has yet to give up a sack and has allowed only 10 total pressures. I would bet if the Broncos can surround him with a little better talent that his game could even go to a whole new level next season.
Jensen: Dalton Risner
Risner has almost single-handedly kept the Broncos O-line afloat. With Garett Bolles regressing in year three and Ronald Leary being a yellow-laundry magnet, Risner has saved this bunch from being a total bust for the Broncos. Risner is a born leader and does so by example, on the field.
Kendell: Noah Fant
Risner feels like the obvious choice here but to mix it up a bit, I will take Fant. On pace to break Broncos' Rookie All-Time Records and showing flashes of dominance, Fant has the tools to be a true weapon in the passing game. It typically can take up to three seasons for tight ends to transition from college to the NFL, Fant's athleticism translates immediately. He still needs work in the blocking game as well as some of the details in the game, his total package is too hard to ignore. The main beneficiary in target share since Emmanuel Sanders was traded, watch for Fant to continue his statistical surge over the last seven weeks. There will be more lows to come, but enjoy the highs and think about the potential of his future in Denver.
Morris: Dalton Risner
He earned himself the starting job as the left guard and hasn’t disappointed. His run blocking has been great and he’s done well in pass protection. Risner will be a key part of the offensive line for years to come.
Sanderson: Dalton Risner
The Broncos needed a legit answer on the O-line and Risner looks like a franchise player at the guard position. For the low cost of a second-round pick (hey-ooo Quenton Nelson).
Trickel: Dalton Risner
There were only two options here, and both Fant and Risner have had their fair share of issues. Fant has struggled as a blocker and has had a few drops, despite that he is still on pace to have a great year for a rookie tight end. Meanwhile, Risner has been more consistent with his play, and that is what earns him this reward.
Defensive Rookie Stud
Alshami: Malik Reed
Reed doesn't really have any contenders, but the undrafted rookies season has been solid nonetheless as he has taken over as a starter opposite Von Miller ever since Bradley Chubb went down for the season.
Dumler: Malik Reed
He has graded out as one of the top rookies in all of football. Reed was put into a difficult situation with Chubb going down early in the season, but he has more than held his own. The raw stats have not quite panned out, but he has shown some ability to get pressure and has done better as a run stopper than I thought he would this early in his career.
Jensen: Malik Reed
He has saved the Broncos' bacon in the wake of the Chubb injury. Not exactly dominant but Reed has flashed and been surprisingly consistent for an undrafted rookie. I'm excited to see how his career unfolds in Denver.
Kendell: Malik Reed
Reed ends up being another semi-regional undrafted free agent for the Broncos that looks like a hit. While he is no Chubb, Reed has been an awesome find and fit for the Broncos in this defense. As somewhat of a hybrid player, Reed's ability to drop into coverage as well as rush the passer adds much-needed versatility to the defensive front. Not the biggest edge defender, Reed uses tenacity and technique to set the edge better than his frame would suggest.
Morris: Malik Reed
After Chubb was lost for the season because of an injury, Reed had to enter the starting lineup. He hasn’t disappointed, following up a strong preseason with a lot of quality work and showing he, too, can be a player who can be paired with Miller and establish a formidable presence.
Sanderson: Malik Reed
Reed has stepped up all season from the start of camp and has filled in nicely ever since Chubb went down with his ACL.
Trickel: Duke Dawson
Ok, so I am bending the rules here a little. Dawson is technically in his second year, but he didn’t play in a regular-season game as a rookie. So for the sake of diversity, I will bend the rules. Dawson has been really good for the Broncos, and is looking like a gem that they stole from the Patriots. As far as an actual rookie, it would be Reed, just like everyone else as there isn’t another true rookie worth the nod.
Offensive Dud
Alshami: DaeSean Hamilton
With Demaryius Thomas gone, Tim Patrick missing most of the season to injury and Sanders being shipped off, I really expected Hamilton to take a step in his development and begin contributing on the field... to this point, it looks like Patrick can't come off IR soon enough.
Dumler: Joe Flacco
The offensive issues do not all fall on his shoulders, but there were a lot of plays that he flat out missed. Receivers for the Broncos did some of the best work in the league at getting separation when Flacco was starting, but he struggled to pull the trigger. On top of that, he seemed to find the most inopportune time to take a sack. A veteran should have known better in those situations, yet time and again he continued to get the ball out on time.
Jensen: Joe Flacco
Flacco so underperformed and played below expectations that it's safe to call him a bonafide bust. He wasn't a free-agent pickup but the Broncos did give up a fourth-round draft pick to acquire him. Flacco was the primary culprit to this offense's impotence early on this season. Being literally the least-aggressive starting QB in the NFL and being scared to push the ball and feed his weapons, Flacco didn't deserve the starting job even had he not suffered the neck injury. Just...yuck.
Kendell: Garett Bolles
It's time to end this experiment. Blame the front office, blame the coaches, blame the team, I don't care. Bolles does not get it. From holding penalties to bad footwork and hand technique, the same mistakes that plagued him in college still are prevalent on his tape today. If Sean Kugler and Mike Munchak can't fix him, it comes down to Bolles himself. Whether it be his brain or his heart, he doesn't get it and that's on him.
Morris: Garett Bolles
It’s easy to pick Flacco, but there was a flicker of hope that Bolles might improve under the tutelage of Munchak. He had a poor start to the season and, while he showed some improvement, he’s never had any consistency to prove he can be the long-term guy. His inability to dismiss penalties from his mind has kept him from taking the necessary steps forward.
Sanderson: DaeSean Hamilton
I get that he has his own role, but he still has to start showing up on the stat sheet. It's not all on him, but without Sanders, Hamilton needs to prove he can be a legit option and he hasn't due to limited opportunities.
Trickel: Garett Bolles
Is there really any other option? Mike Munchak isn’t a miracle worker and Bolles has proven that. His technique has barely improved since his one year at Utah and he can’t get mistakes out of his head. It is reasonable to question if he has the smarts for the position, and the desire to even improve.
Defensive Dud
Alshami: Bryce Callahan
Denver paid Bryce a good chunk of change to watch him sit on the inactive list each week. He may soon be returning, but that doesn't change the robbery that took place when Denver signed him in free agency.
Dumler: Isaac Yiadom
I was one that thought Yiadom could really emerge this season especially with the injury to Callahan. He lost all confidence early in the season and even with injuries to the position kept moving down the depth chart. Cornerback is a position that you have to have a short-term memory and Yiadom just couldn't seem to get his confidence back. Thankfully others have stepped up at the position, but it will be interesting to see what happens with Yiadom after this season.
Jensen: Von Miller
Many Broncos fans don't want to hear it but Miller has been a big disappointment this year. This was the turning point for Denver with a new coaching staff and a young offense coming to town. Miller had the chance to finally start winning again but for whatever reason, he's simply not been himself. I wish I could tell you why.
Kendell: Corey Nelson
Why on God's green earth did this guy start over Johnson to start the season? Johnson had all offseason to learn the system and had experience playing it in preseason, but the Broncos go with the guy they just pick up and toss him out there versus the Raiders? Made zero sense. Nelson did only play a few games before being banished to the bench but goodness, was he bad. It's fair to question if the Broncos honestly could have won Weeks 1 and 2 if AJ had been playing instead of the absolutely lost and overmatched Nelson. The biggest defensive blunder of the season in my book.
Morris: Isaac Yiadom
It’s true that Yiadom is having to learn a new scheme in his second year in the NFL, but in his first game of the season, he had trouble dismissing mistakes from his mind. That carried over into other games, and he has since fallen on the depth chart.
Sanderson: Von Miller
Be real, he hasn't been nearly as effective as we thought he would be in Fangio's scheme. He keeps getting close, but can't close the deal when he needs to in critical situations.
Trickel: Issac Yiadom
I really liked Yiadom coming out of Boston College and really thought he would have a good NFL career. He doesn’t fit the scheme the Broncos run, and doesn’t seem like he will stick on the roster for long. We are about at that point of dubbing him a bust.
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